Editorial review25 September 2026
Prepared byLawyers Near You editorial team
Primary sources1 linked on this page
How we research and update content →Make a one-page chronology
List the important events in date order, identify the people or organisations involved and mark anything uncertain. Separate what happened from assumptions about what it means legally.
Collect the key documents
Start with the document that triggered the enquiry and the small set needed to understand it. Ask the firm how to send confidential material securely.
- Court, tribunal or government notices
- Contracts, letters and key correspondence
- Relevant invoices, policies or files
- Identity documents only when requested securely
State the practical objective
Explain what you want help deciding or doing. The lawyer can then discuss realistic processes, scope and information still needed without treating the objective as a promised outcome.
Questions to ask
- What can be assessed in the first meeting?
- Which documents should I send beforehand?
- Is the consultation fee separate from later work?
- What is the next decision after the meeting?
Official sources
General information only, reviewed on 25 September 2026. Rules and processes vary by jurisdiction and facts; confirm current requirements with the relevant official body or a qualified adviser.